What Is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. The colon and rectum are part of the gastrointestinal system, which is responsible for digesting food and passing waste from the body. If left unchecked, colorectal cancer can grow through some or all of the layers of colon or rectal walls, which is an important indicator of the extent to which the cancer has spread.Learn more
Symptoms of Colon Cancer
Some people with colorectal cancer have no symptoms, while others do. Talk to your doctor if you experience a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, stomach pain and cramping, fatigue and weakness, decreased appetite and weight loss, jaundice, or enlarged abdomen or feeling of discomfort in the pelvic area.Read more
Colon Cancer Treatment and Care
When colon cancer is caught in its early stages, surgery is the most effective treatment and usually provides a cure. When patients are diagnosed in more advanced stages of the disease, they will require chemotherapy in addition to surgery. Although the treatment is more complex in these stages, cures are still possible.
Gastrointestinal Cancers:What You Need to KnowLearn More
Smart MovesLower your risk of colon cancer
1 in 19
The lifetime risk in men for developing colorectal cancer
American Cancer Society
Colorectal Cancer Q&As
American Cancer Society
How common is colorectal cancer?
Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. . .
- Q What can I do to reduce my risk of colorectal cancer?
- Q Is colorectal cancer different from colon cancer?
- Q What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
- Q Why should I be screened for colorectal (colon) cancer?
- Q Should I have genetic testing for colorectal cancer?
- Q Are men or women at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer?
- Q What are some pre-cancerous indicators of colorectal cancer?
- Q What is the most common surgery to treat rectal cancer?
- Q Can a healthy lifestyle lower my risk of colorectal cancer?
- Q Can regular screening help prevent colorectal cancer?
Colorectal Cancer Action Plans
Want to learn more about colorectal cancer prevention and treatment? Start with one of these Action Plans.
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Colon Cancer Videos
9 Cancer Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Click through to see nine seemingly harmless symptoms to keep an eye on because they may be signs of cancer.
Pear and Spinach Salad
Spinach is loaded with magnesium, which research suggests may be crucial to curbing the risk of colon cancer.